Faience cup in the form of a blue
lotus

Said to be from Tuna el-Gebel,
EgyptLate New Kingdom (1550-1070 BC) or Third
Intermediate Period (1070-661 BC)

A symbol of rebirth

A number of beautiful
faience
vessels in the shape of the lotus are known from ancient Egypt.
Early examples, like this one, are mostly decorated with petals of
the lotus flower, while later ones are more often decorated with
scenes.

The precise
function of these vessels is not clear, though they are heavy with
symbolism. The lotus itself is a symbol of rebirth and new life.
This symbolism derives from one of the creation myths: the sun-god
and creator,
Re, is
said to have appeared on a lotus, which had previously grown on the
Primeval Mound (the seat of creation). The choice of faience for
the material is clearly deliberate, as its shiny and brilliant
nature made it worthy of association with the sun-god; the
blue-green colour is also associated with rebirth and new
life.

The context in which
such vessels were found is unknown, even though there was clearly a
concentration of them discovered in the area of Tuna el-Gebel in
Middle Egypt.